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Women’s Tour stages 1 and 2: Copponi takes victory after dramatic race stoppage, Wiebes wins

Opening race paused for almost an hour

Photo by: The Women's Tour @thewomenstour
June 7, 2022
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Clara Copponi (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope) took the first stage of the Women’s Tour  in Britain on Monday, following a dramatic crash on the final corner. That wasn’t the only drama of the day. Earlier, the first stage was forced to stop for 55 minutes as a result of a medical incident that blocked the road ahead.

After 35 km both Danielle Shrosbree (CAMS-Basso) and the main pack were forced to stop to allow emergency vehicles to pass and get to an “incident ahead of the race route,” the race organizers said. The race would resume almost an hour later, and Shrosbree was given a head start to match the time gap she had in her breakaway.

The stage began in Essex and finished in the Suffolk lowlands. Cold temperatures and rain made the racing even tougher than originally planned. The 142 km stage raced through the narrow English roads, creating some hectic conditions.

Two tough climbs at the 35 and 80 km mark did little to break up the group, and it all came down to a sprint finish. Copponi beat Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE Team ADQ) with Elena Cecchini (SD Worx) rounding out the podium. The win would be Copponi’s biggest to date. Canada’s Alison Jackson finished in 13th in the final gallop to the line, with Leah Kirchmann placing 41st.

On stage two, a 92.1 km stage that started and finished in Harlow, Lorena Wiebes (@TeamDSM) took the win after another bunch sprint, although with better weather and less race incidents. Barbara Guarischi came in second, with Shari Bossuyt slotting in third. Jackson would finish again in lucky number 13, and Kirchmann finished in 94th. Copponi kept her overall leader’s jersey, as well as leading the sprint competition. Christine Majerus (SD Worx) is leading the mountains competition, and FDJ is top team.